Portable dishwashing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A portable dishwashing apparatus includes a base unit and a hand unit in connection with the base unit. A soap mixture in the base unit is directed to the hand unit and exits the distal end of a cleaning head extension bar onto a cleaning head, which is used to scrub dishes. A trigger located on the hand unit controls the flow of water from the distal end of the rinse extension bar and the distal end of the cleaning head extension bar. The cleaning head is removably attachable to the distal end of the cleaning head extension bar and is structured to rotate and pivot to allow any one of several cleaning tools on the cleaning head to be moved into a cleaning position and constantly engage and follow a surface shape of an item being cleaned.

This patent application is a Continuation of patent application Ser. No.13/779,157 filed on Feb. 27, 2013 which is a Divisional patentapplication of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/924,512 filed on Sep.29, 2010 and now granted U.S. Pat. No. 8,403,578 B2 dated Mar. 26, 2013.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a dishwashing apparatus and, moreparticularly, to a portable dishwashing apparatus having a base unit andan accompanying hand unit that allows for easy, one-handed operation ofthe dishwashing apparatus, and requires a minimal amount of water, whichcan be accessed from direct hook up to plumbing or from within its owncontained water supply.

Discussion of the Related Art

Over the years, automatic dishwashers have become commonplace inhouseholds in the United States, and provide a convenient method ofcleaning and sterilizing dishes and eating utensils. Typically, dirtydishes are loaded into the dishwasher, which, in operation, spraysheated water at 130-150 degrees Fahrenheit onto the dishes. A detergentand water mixture is then used to clean the dishes, followed by cleanwater to remove the detergent residue. While such represents the typicaldishwashing cycle process in both residential and commercial dishwashersalike, a number of advances have been made in recent years in an effortto further enhance the cleansing capabilities of dishwashers, such asthe use of multiple wash and rinse cycle periods as well as theinclusion of rinsing aids.

A considerable drawback of traditional automatic dishwashers is thelarge amount of water required during each wash and rinse cycle. Such anegative characteristic becomes readily apparent when an automaticdishwasher is used when it is not filled to full capacity, which islikely to occur in households of one to three persons. Furthermore, anumber of situations may present themselves to an individual who mayhave dirty dishes but is in a location lacking a automatic dishwasher.For example, a college dorm room rarely comes equipped with a automaticdishwasher, however, college students often utilize micro-refrigeratorsthat include an attached microwave, which is used to heat entire meals.Consequently, college students must either purchase disposable paperplates and plastic eating utensils or engage in the cumbersome task ofhand washing the dirty dishes.

Only a few dishwashing devices have been developed that can be used in aportable fashion. A number of these portable dishwashing devices arenon-electric, and are powered by water pressure alone. For example, U.S.Pat. No. 4,542,756 discloses a portable non-electric dishwasher systemthat is especially suited for insertion within a sink and includes anenclosed dish-holding container, and is entirely reliant on the waterpressure supplied by an outside source. Suspended throughout theinterior of the enclosure is a series of expansible water bladdershaving multiple apertures for spraying water on the dirty dishes. Withthe application of the pressurized water, the bladders expand, whicheffectively scrubs the dirty dishes. The continued expansion of thebladders eventually triggers an outflush of water from the apertures,thus rinsing the dirty dishes. This scrub and rinse cycle continues overa period of time as determined by the user.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,518,014 discloses a portable countertop dishwasher thatis electrically powered and structured for placement alongside a sink.The portable countertop dishwasher includes a housing cavity with afluid handling assembly contained therein and having an upper pump and alower pump, each within its own housing. In operation, the pumpsdistribute fluid amongst the dishes within the housing cavity, with anoutlet conduit serving to release the fluid from the housing.

While the portable dishwashing devices described above are useful fortheir intended purpose, there remains a need for a more practical andefficient electrically powered portable dishwashing apparatus that iseasily transportable, requires a minimal amount of water, and allows forquick and easy cleansing of dirty dishes. The present invention seeks toaddress the limitations and shortcomings of presently known portabledishwashing devices, as well as to effectively minimize the amount ofwater that is wasted during the cleansing process.

The present invention provides a portable dishwashing apparatus thatincludes a base unit having means to heat water that is supplied from aconventional plumbing system via attachment or, alternatively, suppliedfrom a portable water holding tank in connection with the base unit. Thepresent invention utilizes a hand unit having a cleaning head that is inconnection with the base unit's heated water supply, and is equipped tobrush, scrape, and wash dishes and utensils.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

Considering the foregoing, it is a primary object of the presentinvention to provide a portable dishwashing apparatus that allows foreasy, one handed operation while using a minimal amount of hot waterwithin a selectively controllable temperature range in order to washdishes, glasses cups, eating utensils, pots, pans and the like, on an asneeded basis.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a portabledishwashing apparatus that allows for fast and easy dishwashing, andthat is ready to use, on demand.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide aportable dishwashing apparatus that does not hook up to a sink faucet,thereby allowing the sink and faucet to remain free for normal use.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide aportable dishwashing apparatus which is adapted to clean one dish in amatter of seconds with no wasted water and considerably less energy usesas compared to other conventional dishwashing systems and methods.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide aportable dishwashing apparatus that provides hot water in a matter ofseconds, with no water wasted while waiting for the water to heat to thedesired temperature, and further wherein the apparatus is able tomaintain a selected water temperature throughout use.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide aportable dishwashing apparatus that is adapted to soap and rinse at thesame time, thereby saving time, energy and water.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide aportable dishwashing apparatus that is structured to direct hot waterdirectly into a cleaning head while helping to keep food and germs outof the cleaning head.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide aportable dishwashing apparatus that provides a pivotable and rotatablecleaning head that receives a flow of hot water and soap mixture, andwherein the cleaning head surface remains hot even when turned upsidedown.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide aportable dishwashing apparatus that provides a hand unit with a cleaninghead and a rinse extension arm, and wherein the rinse extension arm isstructured and disposed to be used for holding the cleaning head inposition.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide aportable dishwashing apparatus as set forth above, and wherein thecleaning head is structured and disposed for wiping, scraping andscrubbing dishes, pots, pans and the like.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are morereadily apparent with reference to the detailed description andaccompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a portable dishwashing apparatusthat is easily transportable, requires a minimal amount of water, andallows for quick and easy cleansing of dishes. The portable dishwashingapparatus includes a base unit having means to heat water that issupplied from a conventional plumbing system or other water flow supplysource via attachment or, alternatively, supplied from a portable waterholding tank in connection with the base unit. The water, whethersupplied via a conventional plumbing system, other water flow supplysource or from the portable water holding tank, is heated by a heaterunit located within the base unit. A soap mixture tank containingheavily concentrated soap is located within the base unit of theportable dishwashing apparatus, and serves to mix and store the heatedwater and concentrated soap mixture. The present invention utilizes ahand unit having a cleaning head that is in connection with the baseunit's heated water supply and soap mixture tank, and is equipped tobrush, scrape, and wipe dish surfaces, and to further apply the heatedwater and soap mixture in order to wash dishes and utensils. The handunit also provides a clean and rinse function to rinse the soapy waterfrom the cleaned dishes and utensils.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention,reference should be made to the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the portable dishwashing apparatusof the present invention, in accordance with one embodiment, andincluding a base unit with a thermometer for displaying the temperatureof the water in the heater unit within the base unit, a set of controlsfor controlling the operations of the apparatus, and a storagecompartment for an accompanying hand unit, and a tube separatelyencasing a soap line and a hot water line, and the tube connecting thehand unit with the base unit;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the base unit showing a direct watersupply inlet connection, a holding tank water inlet connection, areceptacle for the water holding tank, a water inlet valve knob, a draintube, and a drain tube valve knob;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the hand unit showing a rinse extension bar, ascraper, a rinse tube water exit, a thumb grip, a swivel pin forallowing pivoting of the rinse extension bar, a cleaning head extension,a cleaning head base with a filter or sponge material optionallyenclosed by fabric, a trigger for operation of the hand unit, and a tubeencasing the soap line and the hot water line;

FIG. 4 is a side view, shown in partial cross section, illustrating thehand unit of FIG. 3 in a static configuration, and showing a hand unitsoap line extending directly through the cleaning head extension bar, afirst hot water line, and a second hot water line, and a trigger forcontrolling the flow of water to the cleaning head and rinse extensionbar;

FIG. 5 is a side view, shown in partial cross section, illustrating thehand unit of FIG. 3, and showing movement of the rinse extension bar andoperational movement of the trigger;

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of the base unit of the presentinvention, showing a heater unit and a soap mixture tank enclosedtherein, as well as the flow of water through the base unit;

FIG. 7 is an isolated perspective view of the cleaning head, inaccordance with a preferred embodiment, showing an cleaning headextension bar with a first reduced hole for the soap mixture to exit thecleaning head and a second reduced hole for the hot water to exit thecleaning head, a male ring for snap-on attached engagement within afemale receptacle of the cleaning head, a cleaning head base withassociated filter or sponge material covered with an optional fabric,and further illustrating rotational movement of the male fitting on theend of the extension bar relative to the female receptacle, therebyallowing 360 degree rotation of the cleaning head;

FIG. 8 is an isolated perspective view of the cleaning head, inaccordance with another embodiment, showing a female receptacle of thecleaning head, a cleaning head base with associated filter or spongematerial, and a grouping of rubber brush bristles;

FIG. 9 is an isolated side view illustrating a range of pivotingmovement of the cleaning head about a pivot pin relative to the distalend of the extension bar.

FIG. 10 is a perspective illustration showing the portable dishwashingapparatus of the present invention, and including a portable table unitupon which the portable dishwashing apparatus and portable water holdingtank are supported, and further including a sink drain tube and a usedwater holding tank for storing excess soap mixture and water run-off;

FIG. 11 is a partly cross-sectional perspective illustration of thewater holding tank showing the internal water pump, the holding tankwater supply line, the holding tank inlet, a T-splitter, and a reliefvalve knob; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the inventiondirected to a portable and easily transportable dishwashing apparatusthat does not rely on a power source or a connection to conventionalplumbing.

Like reference numerals refer to like referenced parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the several views of the drawings, the portable dishwashingapparatus that is easily transportable, requires a minimal amount ofwater, and allows for quick and easy cleansing of dishes is shownaccording to the several embodiments of the invention and is generallyindicated as 10.

In each of the embodiments of the invention, the portable dishwashingapparatus 10 includes a base unit 20 and a hand unit 60. Referring toFIG. 2, the rear panel of the base unit 20 includes a direct watersupply inlet connection 22 and a holding tank water inlet connection 24,providing the user with the option of using a conventional plumbingsystem or other water flow supply as a water source or, alternatively, aportable water holding tank 110 as a source of water. A water inletvalve knob 26 controls whether the base unit 20 receives water via thedirect water supply inlet connection 22 or the holding tank water inletconnection 24. For use in conjunction with the portable water holdingtank 110, a holding tank receptacle outlet 28 is provided for receipt ofthe water pump plug 112 of the portable water holding tank 110. A soapdrain tube 30 is provided to empty the soap mixture tank 158 that islocated within the base unit 20. A drain tube valve knob 32 controls theexit of the soap mixture 162 via the soap drain tube 30. Lastly, a baseunit overflow tube 57 serves to drain the base unit 20 in the event ofan internal leak.

Referring to FIG. 1, the top side of the base unit 20 includes athermometer display 54 for indicating the temperature of the waterexiting a heater unit 142 located within the base unit 20. A set ofcontrols for controlling the operations of the portable dishwashingapparatus 10 is further included on the top side of the base unit 20,including: a heater unit control knob 34 for controlling the temperatureof the heater unit 142, a water holding unit pump knob 36, a heater unitpower knob 38, a water toggle switch 40, a pressure reducer control knob42, and a soap adjustment knob 44. A storage compartment 46 for theaccompanying hand unit 60 is provided that also serves to catch anywater run-off from the hand unit 60 after being used. A hand unit draintube 56 extends outwards from the base unit 20 for draining the excesswater run-off within the storage compartment 46. A soap unit compartment58 located on the base unit 20 can be opened to access the soap mixturetank 158. Extending from the front side of the base unit 20 are a handunit soap line 48 and a hand unit water line 50 that connect the baseunit 20 with the hand unit 60. Encasing the hand unit soap line 48 andthe hand unit water line 50 is a hand unit connector tube 52.

Referring to FIG. 3, the hand unit 60 is ergonomically structured forbeing grasped within a user's hand in a position that allows the user'sforefinger to depress the trigger 64. The hand unit 60 includes a rinseextension bar chamber 76 that slideably captivates a rinse extension bar66 that extends outwardly from the distal end of the rinse extension barhaving chamber 76. A pivot pin 68 connects the rinse extension barchamber 76 with the handle 62 of the hand unit 60 and allows for guided,pivoting movement of the rinse extension bar 66 and chamber 76 about thepin 68 and relative to the cleaning head extension bar 78 so that therinse extension bar 66 can be moved towards the cleaning head extensionbar 78 to hold the cleaning head 84 when it is freely pivoted upwardduring use which allows the scraper 103 to be instantly moved into aforward lower cleaning position when needed (see solid line drawing ofcleaning head in FIG. 3). Then, when the user is finished using thescraper 103, the user can simply release the rinse hold bar 76 thecleaning head 84 will freely pivot down so that the primary cleaningtool 88 is instantly put back into its usable position (see broken linedrawing of cleaning head in FIG. 3), thereby allowing the user tocontinue washing with no interruption which saves both time and water. Aspring 77 at the swivel pin 68 urges the rinse extension bar 66 to arelaxed position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. A thumb grip 70 isergonomically placed along the rinse extension bar 66 to allow the userto easily extend the rinse extension bar 66 outwardly relative to thechamber 76 by applying pressure to the thumb grip 70. At the distal endof the rinse extension bar 66 is a scraper 72 that can be used to scrapedirty dishes during the cleaning process. A rinse tube water exit 74 isalso located at the distal end of the rinse extension bar 66. The rinseextension bar 66 can extend out from and retract within the rinseextension bar chamber 76 to accommodate the user's needs.

Also extending from the handle 62 of the hand unit 60 is a cleaning headextension bar 78. Located at the distal end of the cleaning headextension bar 78 is a first reduced hole 80 for the soap mixture 162 toexit and a second reduced hole 82 for the hot water to exit, as shown inFIG. 7. A cleaning head 84 attaches to the distal end of the cleaninghead extension bar 78, which includes a cleaning head base 86 and aprimary cleaning tool 88 defined by a filter or sponge material suitablefor scrubbing dishes. An optional fabric 90 covers the filter or spongematerial 88. Additionally, the cleaning head extension bar 78 and therinse extension bar 66 can be moved together, as illustrated by thebroken lines in FIG. 3, allowing the user to reach narrow areas whilecleaning. Multiple embodiments of the cleaning head 84 are contemplated,each of which can be interchangeably attached to the cleaning headextension bar 78, providing the user with a variety of cleaning options.

Referring to FIGS. 7-9, the structure of the cleaning head 84 and itsmethod of attachment to the cleaning head extension bar 78 is shown inaccordance with a preferred embodiment. In the embodiment shown in FIGS.7-9, the cleaning head extension bar 78 includes a male snap-onattachment component 96, generally in the form of a ring, that engages afemale snap-on attachment component 98, generally in the form of anannular groove, within female receptacle 92. This allows the cleaninghead 84 to freely rotate in either direction around the axis of thecleaning head extension bar 78 (as shown by the arrows in FIG. 7). Thisrotation allows the primary cleaning tool 88, the scraper 103, and thescrubber 104 to be able to freely rotate around the axis of the rinseextension bar 78 while in use so each tool can freely follow the shapeof the item being cleaned. The receptacle 92 is pivotally held on aswivel rod component 100, allowing the cleaning head 84 to pivot aboutthe swivel rod axis 102, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 9. This freepivoting motion of the cleaning head 84 allows the user to instantly andeffortlessly switch between the primary cleaning tool 88 and the scraper103 while washing, and also allows the primary cleaning tool 88 tofreely pivot while it is in use so that the primary cleaning tool 88 canfreely follow the shape of the item being cleaned. Referring to FIG. 7,the female receptacle 92 receives a flow of hot water from the hand unit78 via the hot water line 82 and also receives soap via the soap line80. The soap and water are combined in the receptacle 92 and thendirected through a hole 99 toward the cleaning tool that is in use, asshown by the arrows in FIG. 5. This helps to keep all the tools cleanand continually hot for faster yet more sanitary washing. A squareopening 106 on the cleaning head base 86 allows the mixture of water andsoap flowing from the hole 99 to be directed into the primary cleaningtool 88.

Several embodiments of the cleaning head 84 are contemplated within thescope of the invention. The cleaning head 84 illustrated in FIGS. 7 and9 includes the cleaning head base 86 with an integrally formed scraper103 and the primary cleaning tool 88 consisting of filter or spongematerial which may be covered by the optional fabric 90. The cleaninghead 84 illustrated in FIG. 8 includes a cleaning head base 86 with thescraper/squeegee 103 located on one end, and a scrubber 104 located onthe opposite end. On the bottom side of the cleaning head base 86 is theprimary tool 88 which, in this illustrated embodiment, is a sponge.

In operation, a water source is provided by the holding tank inlet tube130 extending from the portable water holding tank 110, which is pluggedinto the holding tank water inlet connection 24. Additionally, or in thealternative, the direct line inlet tube 132 can be connected to aconventional plumbing system at the direct water supply inlet connection22 to serve as a water source. Referring to FIG. 6, water from thedirect line inlet tube 132 is directed to a pressure reducer 134, whichthe user controls with the pressure reducer control knob 42. The waterfrom the direct line inlet tube 132 subsequently flows to the watertoggle 136, which the user controls with the water toggle switch 40located on the base unit 20.

The holding tank inlet tube 130 and the direct line inlet tube 132converge at a valve 138, which controls whether water is received fromthe holding tank inlet tube 130 or the direct line inlet tube 132. Theuser controls the valve 138 with the water inlet valve knob 26 locatedon the base unit 20. Thereafter, the water flows in a cold water line140 from the valve 138 to the heater unit 142. The water enters theheater unit 142 and is heated by the heater coils 144. A filter material146 helps to even the flow of water through the heater. The water thenexits the heater unit 142 via the hot water exit tube 148, where athermometer 150 calculates the temperature of the water. The thermometerdisplay 54 located on the base unit 20 displays the temperaturecalculated by the thermometer 150 to the user.

The hot water exit tube 148 then flows to a T-splitter 152, which splitsthe water into two separate lines—the hand unit water line 50 and thesoap tank water line 154. The hand unit water line 50 travels directlyout of the base unit 20 and enters the hand unit connector tube 52. Thesoap tank water line 154 approaches a soap tank valve 156, whichcontrols the amount of water that enters the soap mixture tank 158. Thesoap tank valve 156 is controlled by the soap adjustment knob 44 locatedon the base unit 20. The water enters the soap mixture tank 158 andcomes into contact with a soap concentrate, forming a soap mixture 162.The user can access the soap mixture tank 158 and replace the soapconcentrate by opening the soap unit compartment 58 located on the baseunit 20 and removing a cap 159 on the top of the soap mixture tank 158.Once the mixture tank 158 is filled with soap concentrate to theappropriate replacement level, the cap 159 is replaced and thecompartment is closed. As more water enters the soap mixture tank 158,the level of the soap mixture 162 rises until reaching a soap fill level164, at which point the soap mixture 162 begins to enter a soap exittube 166, which is located within the soap mixture tank 158, through aV-cut 168 at the top of the soap exit tube 166. The soap mixture 162then enters the hand unit soap line 48, which exits the base unit 20 andenters the hand unit connector tube 52. A soap drain valve 170 can beopened to release (i.e. drain) excess soap mixture 162 from the soapmixture tank 158 via a soap drain tube 30 that leads to a sink exit tube193 (see FIG. 10).

The hand unit connector tube 52 encases the hand unit soap line 48 andthe hand unit water line 50 and extends from the base unit 20 to thehand unit 60. Referring to FIGS. 3-5, the hand unit soap line 48 and thehand unit water line 50 enter the hand unit 60, and the hand unit soapline 48 travels through the handle 62 and the cleaning head extensionbar 78 of the hand unit 60, ending at the first reduced hole 80 (seeFIG. 7), allowing the soap mixture 162 to exit onto the cleaning head84.

Upon entering the hand unit 60, the hand unit water line 50 travelsthrough the handle 62, ending at a hot water chamber 114 encased withinthe handle 62. The hot water chamber 114 is divided into separatechambers—a cleaning head hot water chamber 116 and a rinse extension hotwater chamber 118—by spaced washers 120. A cleaning head hot water line122 connects the cleaning head hot water chamber 116 with the secondreduced hole 82 (see FIG. 7) for the hot water to exit onto the cleaninghead 84. A rinse extension hot water line 124 connects the rinseextension hot water chamber 118 with the rinse tube water exit 74,located at the distal end of the rinse extension bar 66.

The trigger 64 controls whether water is taken from the cleaning headhot water chamber 116 or the rinse extension hot water chamber 118. Whenthe trigger 64 is in a relaxed position, as illustrated in FIG. 4, watercontinuously flows from the cleaning head hot water chamber 116 to thecleaning head hot water line 122 via a hot water exit hole 126, andwater is emitted from the reduced hole 82 onto the cleaning head 84.When the trigger 64 is depressed, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the hotwater exit hole 126 is displaced, allowing water to continuously flowfrom the rinse extension hot water chamber 118 to the rinse extensionhot water line 124, and water is emitted from the rinse tube water exit74. When the trigger 64 is released, a spring 128 returns the trigger 64to its relaxed position, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

A power cord 176 with accompanying power plug 178 extends out of thebase unit 20, supplying power to the portable dishwashing apparatus 10.A water holding unit pump switch 172 is included within the base unit 20for actuating water flow from the portable water holding tank 110 to theportable dishwashing apparatus 10, and is controlled by the waterholding unit pump knob 36 located on the base unit 20. A heater unitpower switch 174 controls the power supplied to the heater unit 142, andis regulated by the heater unit power knob 38 located on the base unit20. A heating control switch 180, which is regulated by the heater unitcontrol knob 34 located on the base unit 20, controls the temperature ofthe heater coils 144.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, a portable table unit 190 having a sink unit191 is used to support the base unit 20 and the portable water holdingtank 110. The sink unit 191 further includes a sink drain tube 192 thatis used to transport fluids received via the sink exit tube 193. Thesink exit tube 193 receives excess soap mixture 162 via the soap draintube 30, excess water run-off received via the hand unit drain tube 56,as well as water via the base unit overflow tube 57, to a used waterholding tank 194. After the portable dishwashing apparatus has beenused, the contents within the water holding tank 194 can easily bediscarded by the user.

Referring to FIG. 11, the water holding tank 110 includes a water fillhole 1 for refilling the water holding tank 110 with water. Inoperation, the water pump 6, which is powered by the water pump plug112, pumps water through the holding tank water supply line 3, which issized to fit the holding tank water inlet connection 24 located on thebase unit. In the event of an excessive amount of water being suppliedto the base unit 20, a holding tank inlet 5 is provided to return theexcess water to the water holding tank 110. A T-splitter 2 connects theholding tank inlet 5 with the holding tank water supply line 3 and iscontrolled by a relief valve knob 4.

Referring to FIG. 12, a further embodiment of the portable dishwashingapparatus is shown and is generally indicated as 200. The portabledishwashing apparatus 200 in FIG. 12 is particularly adapted for usewhile camping or at remote locations where connection to electric powerand conventional plumbing is not available or practical. The portabledishwashing apparatus 200, shown in FIG. 12, does not rely on use ofelectric power or connection to a water supply source, such asconventional plumbing. The portable dishwashing apparatus 200 includesan insulated water holding tank 201 that is filled by removing cap 206.The insulated water holding tank 201 can be filled from any watersource, including a fresh water lake, river, stream, collected rainwater, or from a hose or faucet. The insulated water tank 201 isintended to be held upright, as shown in FIG. 12 so that a shelf 208 ispositioned below the water tank 201. The shelf 208 is adapted forholding one or more canned heat sources 210 of the type that arecommonly used when camping. When activated, the canned heat source 210,positioned on the shelf 208, serves to heat the water contained in thetank 201. A temperature gauge 207 is provided to indicate thetemperature of the heated water within the tank. A handle 209 on the topof the tank 201 allows for easy transport and hanging support of theapparatus when in use.

A general soap mixture tank 158, as described in connection with theembodiment of FIGS. 1-11, and as particularly shown in FIG. 6, is usedin this embodiment of FIG. 12. The soap mixture tank 158 is connected tothe shelf 208 and/or tank 201 of the apparatus 200 with the useconnecting rods 205 or other suitable structure. A water exit tube 202extends from a bottom of the water holding tank 201 and interconnectswith hot water supply line 50 at a juncture with a line extending fromsoap chamber valve 156 on the soap mixture tank 158. A manually operatedwater flow valve 204 is provided inline along the hot water supply line50 between hand unit 60 and the juncture of the water supply tube 202and the line exiting the soap chamber valve 156. A separate soap line 48extends from the soap mixture tank 158 to the hand unit 60 in the samemanner as described in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 1-11. Thehand unit 60 is the same as described in connection with the embodimentof FIGS. 1-11, and as particularly shown and described in connectionwith FIGS. 1,3-5 and 7-9.

While the present invention has been shown and described in accordancewith several practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized thatdepartures from the instant disclosure are fully contemplated within thespirit and scope of the invention which is limited only by the followingclaims as interpreted by the Doctrine of Equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cleaning head attachable to an end of a handlemember, the cleaning head comprising: a front end, a rear end, a top anda bottom, a primary cleaning tool on the bottom, a first secondarycleaning tool at the front end, and a second secondary cleaning tool atthe rear end; a connector member for removable attachment of thecleaning head to the end of the handle member and the connector memberbeing structured and disposed to allow the cleaning head to freelyrotate 360 degrees about a longitudinal axis of the handle member sothat the primary cleaning tool can constantly engage and follow asurface shape of an item being cleaned, and further so that either oneof the first and second secondary cleaning tools can follow the surfaceshape of the item being cleaned when in a cleaning position defined byeither one of the first or second secondary tools being positionedforwardly and outwardly relative to a remainder of the cleaning head andthe attached handle member; and the cleaning head being furtherstructured and disposed to freely pivot relative to the handle member toallow either one of the first or second secondary tools to beselectively moved from a rearward position relative to the remainder ofthe cleaning head and the end of the handle member to the cleaningposition.
 2. The cleaning head as recited in claim 1 wherein theconnector member is structured and disposed to receive a flow of liquidfrom the end of the handle member, and the connector member beingfurther structured and disposed to direct the flow of water onto thecleaning head.
 3. The cleaning head as recited in claim 2 wherein theconnector member includes a female receptacle for snap-fit attachment ofthe end of the handle member therein.
 4. The cleaning head as recited inclaim 3 further comprising a cleaning head base defining at least aportion of the top of the cleaning head.
 5. The cleaning head as recitedin claim 4 wherein the connector member is pivotally attached to thecleaning head base.
 6. The cleaning head as recited in claim 5 whereinat least one of the first and second secondary cleaning tools is on thecleaning head base.
 7. The cleaning head as recited in claim 5 whereinthe primary cleaning tool is a sponge attached to a bottom of thecleaning head base.
 8. The cleaning head as recited in claim 5 whereinthe first secondary cleaning tool is a scraping tool.
 9. The cleaninghead as recited in claim 5 wherein the second secondary cleaning tool isa scrubbing tool.
 10. A cleaning head attachable to an end of a handlemember, the cleaning head comprising: a front end, a rear end, a top anda bottom, a primary cleaning tool on the bottom, a first secondarycleaning tool at the front end, and a second secondary cleaning tool atthe rear end; a connector member for removable attachment of thecleaning head to the end of the handle member and the connector memberbeing structured and disposed to allow the cleaning head to freelyrotate 360 degrees about a longitudinal axis of the handle member sothat the primary cleaning tool can constantly engage and follow asurface shape of an item being cleaned, and further so that either oneof the first and second secondary cleaning tools can follow the surfaceshape of the item being cleaned when in a cleaning position defined byeither one of the first or second secondary tools being positionedforwardly and outwardly relative to a remainder of the cleaning head andthe attached handle member; the connector member being structured anddisposed to receive a flow of liquid from the end of the handle member,and the connector member being further structured and disposed to directthe flow of water onto the cleaning head; and the cleaning head beingstructured and disposed to freely pivot relative to the handle member toallow either one of the first or second secondary tools to beselectively moved from a rearward position relative to the remainder ofthe cleaning head and the end of the handle member to the cleaningposition.
 11. The cleaning head as recited in claim 10 wherein theconnector member includes a female receptacle for snap-fit attachment ofthe end of the handle member therein.
 12. The cleaning head as recitedin claim 11 further comprising a cleaning head base defining at least aportion of the top of the cleaning head.
 13. The cleaning head asrecited in claim 12 wherein the connector member is pivotally attachedto the cleaning head base.
 14. The cleaning head as recited in claim 13wherein at least one of the first and second secondary cleaning tools ison the cleaning head base.
 15. The cleaning head as recited in claim 13wherein the primary cleaning tool is a sponge attached to a bottom ofthe cleaning head base.
 16. The cleaning head as recited in claim 13wherein the first secondary cleaning tool is a scraping tool.
 17. Thecleaning head as recited in claim 13 wherein the second secondarycleaning tool is a scrubbing tool.